Chapter One: The Assignment
It had never occurred to me what it would be like to be stuck in someone else's body. I hadn't in a million years thought it could possibly happen. Even with the wonders of magic. But that view all changed that fateful day. That day would forever be engrained in my memories.
As I sat in Potions, staring at Oliver longingly, Professor Snape decided to introduce a new project. I perked up a bit, projects were always worth vast amounts of points and would be showcased for all the 7th year Potions classes to view. Then he said that it would involve partners. I looked for Sally James, the second best potion brewer in our class, after me. She looked over at me and nodded. We would blow the others out of the water.
"I will assign partners for this project." With those seven words, my heart sank. He would probably assign someone who couldn't tell Horned Toads from peppermint. My grade was surely doomed.
I looked over at Sally in horror. She smiled meekly and I knew she was thinking the same thing.
"Leah Sawyer," Snape called. "You'll be partnered with..."
The suspense was killing me. He had paused to look about the room. I silently wished he would find somewhere in his heart to be kind and partner me with Sally. I shot a quick, hopeful glance at her. She held up two crossed fingers.
"Ah... Oliver Wood," Snape said. I heard Sally groan quietly. It was odd how attuned to her I was. We'd been friends since first year, but best friends since only last year. I promised myself to look it up later.
I picked up my things and walked over to his table. It felt like a walk of shame or something along those lines. I felt my face heat up; I knew half the room, the half with two X chromosomes, was staring at me with envy and anger. All the girls wanted him; even though they all knew he was arrogant and didn't keep girls for very long.
As I sat beside him, my heart seemed to jump into fourth gear. It felt as though my heart was racing a dragon. I didn't like it and I wasn't used to it. Surely a heart can't beat this fast without eventually slowing to nothing. I needed to breath or else I might faint. Which would definitely make quite the impression around a room who didn't even know who I was.
"Hi, I'm Leah." I had somehow managed to squeak that out. I was embarrassed at how small my voice sounded. Couldn't I possibly have some bloody confidence?
He looked at me, sizing me up. My face probably flushed scarlet and I looked down. "Oliver."
"I know." Was all I could muster to say. Why couldn't I come up with something that made me seem more confident?
I let my brown hair fall down over my shoulder so there was a wall between us. I was dead certain that he was able to pick up my uneasiness around him. I swore I heard him laugh; I tried to pretend I hadn't heard it.
When Professor Snape had finished putting people into groups of two, he went to the board and flipped it so that everyone could see what was expected.
"You are to make a Polyjuice Potion. You should all know how to make this, but I'm adding a twist. You must make it so there is no color to give away the appearance. I will supply all ingredients. Your assignment is to make a clear, odorless, working Polyjuice Potion. A great deal of research is required and this assignment will not be worked on during class, with the exception of today and the day before the final drought is due. You will need to supply me with a list of your ingredients and the steps it takes to make your potion. Also, everyone will need to write a report on their findings. It must be three scrolls of parchment long. Is that clear?"
The class nodded and then everyone began working. I pushed my hair behind my ear and avoided looking at him. We had only a week and a half to work on the project and Easter Holidays seemed like the perfect time to really get most of the work done.
"So, I'm assuming you know how to do this? I don't really have the time to work on this project," He said in a gruff voice.
"I... I suppose I can do it alone," I stammered. My heart lifted somewhat from the pit of despair. If I didn't have him dragging me down, I might actually get a decent grade on this. I opened my Advanced Potion-Making book and began taking notes on multiple ingredients so I could be prepared to put them together with the ingredients from the Polyjuice Potion.
I could hear a quill scratching away beside me and when I looked, I saw intricate patterns. They looked like just a jumble of scribbles to me, but I assumed they were Quidditch plays. I returned to my work and kept going until the bell rang.
I shoved my book and pieces of parchment into my bag haphazardly and then sloppily tossed my quills and ink into the other pouch. I stood up in a hurry and began walking to the door. I looked over at Sally, who was planning with her partner, and continued on.
"Why the rush?" A smooth voice called to me. I spun around and saw Oliver walking toward me with his usual casual but dreamy gait. I scolded myself for thinking of him in that way. I didn't have a chance with him. I would be considered blessed for the opportunity to work with him on this project, but I considered myself cursed beyond all reason.
"It's lunch and I need to get to the library," I said. The only way I could avoid eye contact with him was to look at my feet, which was very hard in the crowded corridors.
"Oh, ok. Well do you want to get together over the holiday to work on the project? I think I could manage to set aside some time from practice." He said, matching his step with mine.
"It really doesn't matter that much. I'm used to working alone on projects, so if you can't you shouldn't worry about," I said, still keeping my eyes down.
"Ok... where would I be able to find you if I do have extra time on my hands?" Oliver asked.
"The library. I'm usually there. But don't worry about it. It's not a big-" Oliver's hand grabbing my arm and pulling me toward him caught me off guard and interrupted me. I, against my will, looked up at him, in shock.
"You had better watch out. You almost ran into someone," He said, flashing a stunning smile at me.
My breath caught in my chest and I think my heart skipped a beat. I nodded in thanks and all too soon he had left my arm go. He walked away and I stood there, staring at him.